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TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – Changes are in store for one of the most popular independent film festivals in our region.

The 11th annual Tupelo Film Festival will be held a month earlier, and at a new location. The festival will be held April 17th through the 19th and will take place at the Malco Theatre near Tupelo’s Barnes Crossing Mall.

Officials say there are several reasons for the changes, among them, the Convention and Visitors Bureau will now allow the Film Fest Society to handle all aspects of the festival.

Also, organizers say the earlier date means the festival doesn’t have to compete with a lot of other events taking place in May.

“We end up in May during graduation week and that’s pretty tough, we want to get more student activity , we’re incorporating the Mississippi, High School Film Competition into this festival so there’s going to be a lot of new and exciting things ,” said Pat Rasberry, Tupelo Film Commissioner.

Rasberry points out that films can be submitted online for next year’s festival. For more information go to www.tupelofilmfestival.net